Air-circulating equipment



Nov. 9, 1937. A. Y. DODGE ,0 ,378

AIR CIRCULATING EQUIPMENT Filed Nov. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l n In wINVEN TOR.

Nov. '9, 1937. A. Y. DODGE AIR CIRCULATING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 8, 1934 Em &

INVENTOR. Adiel 2: Dodge BY A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a system and equipment for circulating air,for example in conditioning the air in a dwelling, and preferably alsofor treating the air so circulated.

One object of the invention is to provide for such a system a compactand simplified unit which will (I) wash and humidify or dehumidify theair and (2) cool the air when desired, and (if desired) which may (3)ozonize or otherwise treat the air, at the same time circulating itthrough the system. Preferably this unit is designed to be used withheating equipment in a complete system which also embodies substantialnovelty. Auxiliary refrigerating equipment may also be used inconjunction with the system if desired.

In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the air is circulated bya unit comprising blades which are sealed at their ends by water whichis continuously introduced in jets or a spray or the like, and withdrawnfrom the unit, to provide a circulation of water which can be utilizedto wash and humidify or dehumidify the air.

The above and other objects and features of the invention, includingvarious novel combinations of parts and desirable particularconstructions, will be apparent from the following description of theconstructions and arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a cross section through one form of air-circulating andtreating unit;

Figure 2 is a section through the unit at right angles to Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a section corresponding to Figure l, but showing a modifiedform of unit; and

Figure 4 is a diagram of a complete air-conditioning system utilizingthe novel unit of Figure 1.

The'novel unit illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a suitable housing Itin which is rotatably mounted a rotor l2 provided with radial vanes l4or the like protruding therefrom. Rotor I2 is also provided withsuitable radial apertures or jets l6 communicating with a central portl8. In port l8 there is located a valve 2|] which may be revolved intodifierent effective positions.

In the summer time, when it is desired to cool and dehumidify the air,cold water is admitted into port l8 under pressure. Due to the pressureand centrifugal force the water is caused to pass through apertures l6and spray therefrom radially. Due to the shape of the housing this Wateris trapped and caused to swirl by the rotor ii in substantially the formshown by dash lines 22. The water so swirling around creates emptyspaces between the rotor blades, varying in size at different angularpositions as shown, thus creating a form of pump. Air is admittedthrough a pipe 24, provided the rotor is turned in the directionindicated by arrow 26. Since the unit is symmetrical it may be turnedin, the opposite direction, in which case, the intake and outlet portsare reversed. Air is thus taken into the empty spaces which areincreasing in volume, and after each vane l4 has passed the intake port24a the volume of the spaces becomes smaller, thus compressing the air.During this process the cold water is being continuously sprayed intothe spaces between the blades, through the apertures Hi. When the rotoris turned a little less than one-half of a revolution further the spacesincrease in size, thus allowing the air to expand until the vanes 14approach the outlet port 26b where the spaces again diminish in volume,thus forcing the air out of the outlet pipe 26. It will be seen that theair is washed, cooled, and dehumidified while it is circulated asdescribed.

In order to further condition the air I prefer to introduce suitableinsulated electrodes 28 from which a high potential high frequencycurrent may be caused to discharge, producing ozonization. Theelectrodes 28 may be made up like spark plugs with a somewhat largerspark gap. In order to maintain a desired pressure level, suitable wateroutlet ports 30 and 30a are introduced which communicate with a riserpipe 32 rising to a suitablevhead, thus determining the back pressureagainst which water is allowed to escape.

In Figure 2, valve 20 is more fully shown as is also the water intakepipe 40. Valve 20 may be revolved to different positions by means of asquared end 42 and locked in position by means of jam nut 44. Forexample, in the winter time valve 20 may be revolved 180 and warm wateradmitted to cause humidification and heating and air washing instead ofde-humidification and washing and cooling, as described for summer use,and in which case, the ozonizers may be relocated if desired. Shaft 46may be driven by any suitable prime mover.

Figure 3 is very similar to Figure 1, merely showing a housing 6!somewhat difierent in shape from the housing l0.

Due to the compression of the air and future expansion a degree ofcooling may be secured allowing the air to expand in the illustratedmanner, I recover some of the energy previously putdesired expansion. Itis obvious that the discharged air system should operate at a. pressurelower than the maximum compression pressure attained in my unit in orderto benefit from this just mentioned recovery of energy. For the purposeof illustration, I might compress the air to four atmospheres at thesmallest space and chew.

late the air at one and one-half atmospheres at the outlet pipe 26, inwhich case, I will have.

recovered the energy represented by two and one-half atmospheres ofpressure.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing one form of complete system, in whichthere is included a hot air furnace 4|, or other suitable airdistribution chamber. A suitable intake pipe 43 takes air from thebuilding in which air is to be conditioned and delivers it either to thechamber 4| direct or to a unit 45 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2.An air intake opening is shown diagrammatically at 46, and an air outletat 48. Air conduits 50, 52, and 54 lead from the furnace 4| to airoutlets 48 appropriately located in the building. Dampers 56 ofregulating valves control the amount of air discharged through therespective conduits in which the dampers 56 are located. A conduit 58admits fresh air from outdoors. A suitable control means such as adamper 60 regulates the amount of fresh air admitted. A fire door 62 maybe provided for chamber 4|, where fuel may be fed in if 4| is to be usedas a heating unit in the winter time, and a clean-outdoor 64 may beprovided for removing ashes, for instance, if coal is used for fuel. Aflue pipe is illustrated at 66, provided with a suitable damper. A pipe65 short-circuits from pipe 43 to pipe 68 which is the intake pipe tochamber 4 I.

There is preferably an automatic counterweighted damper or valve 10 inpipe 65 provided with an adjustable counter-weight I2. Should unit 45 bestopped in the winter time when 4| is being used as a heater, cold airentering through pipe 43 will open valve I0 causing counter-weight I2 topass center, allowing valve 10 to remain open. However, should 45 bestarted, pressure caused in the discharge pipe I4 will cause damper I0to close bringing the counter-weight back to the position shown, thuscausing the damper I0 to remain closed until 45 is again stopped. I6illustrates diagrammatically a suitable electric motor used as a primemover for the unit 45. shaft I8.

As previously described, water is fed to the unit 45, pipe illustratinga pipe from the city water supply. By opening a valve 82 and closing avalve 84 water is allowed to flow from 80 through 82 and through pipes86, 88, 80 into the unit 45 as previously described. Water is dischargedfrom the unit 45 through a pipe 02 into an elevated tank 34. The headelevation of the pipe 92 should be sufiicient to produce the desiredback pressure. Water from the tank 64 overflows into the sewer through apipe 96.

This outlines the water circuit for summer use when cooling anddehumidificatlon are desired. In the bottom of the chamber 4| isprovided a suitable drip pan 98 to catch any condensed vapor and water.Water from the pan 98 is drained into the sewer through a pipe I00 afterpassing/through a suitable trap I025 The trap I02, as diagrammaticallyillustrated, represents 45 and I6 are connected by 8.

a conventional water trap of sufiicient extra head to withstand the airpressure in the chamber 4|. However, the trap I02 may if preferred be afloat controlled type trap. The trap I02 isprovided to prevent loss ofair from the chamber 4| when there is no condensation to be drainedtherefrom. In this arrangement, city water may be used as a'heatabsorbing medium in sufficient quantities to give the desired results,controlled by the valve 82 and allowed to drain into the sewer afteruse.

At I04 is illustrated diagrammatically a humidistat, for instance-of thehair type. Electric contact points I06 and I08 are the usual electricfront and back contact points. At- H0 is illustrated a thermostat havingfront and back contact points H2 and. II 4. Each of the contact pointsI06, I08, H2, and H4 is provided with suitable adjustments illustratedat II6. While these contact points are shown as mechanical contactpoints, they may be of the mercury tube type, such as illustrated in myPatents Nos. 1,898,006 and 1,895,918. Contact point 4 when closed by thethermostat 0 controls the heating plant by means of any one of theseveral well-known methods in use. A wire H8 connects to the furnacecontrol referred to. Switches I20, I22, and I24 are used to change thecircuit from a winter circuit to a summer circuit. Wires I26 and I28 aremain power lines from which a suitable wiring leads through a controlrelay I30 to the motor IS. A suitable transformer for energizing relayI30 is shown at I32. Switch I34 is a shunt switch by which the motor 16may be energized, when desired, regardless of the relay I30. Food, etc.,may be placed in the empty fire box and kept cool when the system isbeing used as a cooling system.

Coil I40 is a suitable water coil placed in the chamber 4| near the firebox for warming water to be used for washing air and humidifying air inthe unit 45 in the winter time. Pipe I42 leads from the coil I40 to thetank 94. A suitable transmission connecting the motor I6 and the unit 45is indicated at I50.

In operation during the summer, adjustment 6 for contact point I06 is soadjusted to cause an electric contact to take place if and when thehumidity exceeds a certain predetermined degree. Likewise contact pointH2 is set so that electric contact will be made when the temperatureexceeds a certain predetermined degree. Switches I20 and I24 are closedand remain so during the summer months. Should electric contact be madeat either point II 2 or I06 relay I30 will be caused to close itselectric circuit, thus starting the electric motor I6 and causing theunit 45 to operate as previously described. Unit 45 sucks air throughthe opening 46 and a small predetermined amount of fresh air through thepipe 58 according to the setting of valve 60. This air is carriedthrough the unit 45 in the manner previously described and is dischargedthrough pipes I4 and 68 into the chamber 4|. From the chamber 4| it isdistributed through the various pipes 50, 52 and 54 and into the variousrooms of the building through discharge openings such as 48. Aspreviously described, water is taken from the city supply, regulated inquantity at valve 82, through pipes 86, 88 and 00 into the unit 45. Whenthe condition of high temperature or high humidity has been corrected,the electric circuit at both of the contact points I06 and H2 will beallowed the tips of said vanes throughout most of its 0 tact points H4and I08 are regulated to make electric contact at and beyond somepredetermined points of humidity and temperature. When electric contactis made at II4 the heat from the heating system is caused to increase byany of the well-known methods of increasing the fuel feed, etc; Shouldthe air become too dry the humidistat I04 will allow electric contact tobe made at point I08}. thus exciting relay I and causing the relay toclose the circuit which controls the motor 16 and causing the unit 45 tooperate as previously described.

At the same time the switch I22 is manually closed, switches I20 and I24are manually opened,.

and valve 42 in Figure 2 is changed manually to the winter position.Also valve 84 should be opened and the valve 82 nearly closed, suincientopening in the valve 82 being allowed to proculates from tank 94 throughpipe I42, valve 84, heating coil I and pipes 86, 88, and 90, due to thenatural centrifugal pumping action of the unit 85, and thus warm wateris supplied to the unit 05 and discharged from it through pipes 92 backto the tank 94. An oversupply of water is allowed to overflow from tank96 through pipe 06 into the sewer. In this way; warm water is used overand over again for the purpose of air washing and humidification duringthe winter, only suflicient new water being admitted through the valve82 to maintain the supply. If for-any reason it is desirable to manuallyover-rule the instruments I04 and IIO this may be done by closing andopening the switch I34 manually. 5.

While various constructions and arrangements have been described indetail, it is not my intention to limit the scope of my invention bythat description, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An air-conditioning system comprising a unit having means for takingin water in a spray and means cooperating with said water to compressair through which-the water is sprayed, whereby to wash and change thetemperature and humidity of said air, in combination with means forheating water supplied to said unit and air discharged from said unit.

2. An air-conditioning system comprising a unit having means for takingin water in a spray and means cooperating with said water to compressair through which the water is sprayed, whereby to wash and change thetemperature and humidity of 'said air, in combination with a furnacearranged for heating water supplied to said unit and also air dischargedfrom said unit, and means for distributing the heated air.

3. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extendingvanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jetsfrom said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray waterbetween said vanes, and an inclosing casingiorsaid rotor spaced fromcircumference and approaching them closely at -two points, saidcasinghaving a water outlet, and an air intake and an'air outlet on oppositesides of-each of said two points, whereby water circulated by said vanesseals the tips of said varies and is heldby centrifugal force againstsaid casing to cooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanesair spaces which vary in size as the rotor turns angularly.

4. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having vanes and a waterintake and jets from said intake arranged 1 between said trams andadapted tospray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing forsaid rotor spaced from the tips of said vanesthroughout most of itscircum- "ference and approaching them closely at two points only, saidcasing having an air-intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of eachof said two points.

5. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extendingvanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jetsfrom said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray waterbetween said vanes,

and .an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of saidvanes throughout most of its circumference and approaching them closelyat two points, said casing having a water outlet and an air intake andan air outlet on opposite sides of each of said two points, wherebywater circulated by said vanes seals the tips of said vanes and is heldby centrifugal force against said casing to cooperate with said vanes informing between the vanes air spaces which vary in size as the rotorturns angularly, said water intake being provided with a control valveadjustable to vary the angle at which water is discharged through saidjets.

I 6. An air conditioning, unit comprising a rotor having vanes and awater intake and jets from said intake arranged between'said vanes andadapted to spray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing forsaid rotor spaced from the tips of said vanes throughout most of itscircum- -ference and approaching them closely at two .points, said waterintake being provided with a control valve adjustable to vary the angleat which water is discharged through said jets.

7. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extendingvanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jetsfrom said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray waterbetween said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced fromthe tips of said vanes throughout most of its circumference andapproaching them closely at two points, said casing having a wateroutlet and an air intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each ofsaid two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tipsof said vanes and is held by centrifugal force against said casing tocooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces whichvary in size as the rotor turns angularly, said water outlet havingconnected therewith means for maintaining a back pressure in saidcasing.

8. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extendingvanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jetsfrom said intak'e arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray waterbetween said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced fromthe tips of said vanes throughout most of its circumference andapproaching them closely at two points, said casing having a wateroutlet and an air intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each ofsaid two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tipsof said vanes and is held by centrifugal force against said casing tocooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces whichvary in size as the rotor turns angularly, said water intake beingprovided with a control valve adjustable to vary the angle at whichwater is discharged through said jets, said water outlet havingconnected therewith means for maintaining a back pressure in saidcasing.

9. A pump comprising a vaned rotor and a casing therefor closelyapproaching the tips of the rotor vanes at two points only and havingintake and which has a liquid outlet provided with means for maintaininga back pressure in said casing.

11. An air conditioning compressor and expander comprising anon-circular casing, a vaned rotor in said casing closely approachingthe easing at two points, and gas inlet and outlet ports in the casingon opposite sides of each of said two points whereby gas admittedthrough said inlet portwill be compressed and then expanded before beingdischarged'through said outlet port whereby at least a part of theenergy absorbed by the gas during compression will be returned to therotor thereby during expansion and means to cool the compressed gasprior to its expansion.v

let opening into one ofthe lobes and an air outlet opening into anotherlobe whereby air drawn into the inlet will be first compressed and thenexpanded before being discharged out of the outlet, and means, forcirculating liquid through the casing.

13. An air conditioning compressor and expander comprising a casinghaving a plurality of enlarged lobes joined by portions of less radiusthan the lobes, a vaned rotor in the casing spaced from the surfaces ofthe lobes and more" closely approaching said portions, said casingadapted to contain liquid to seal the rotor vanes, an air in let openinginto one of the lobes and an air outlet opening into another lobewhereby air drawn into the inlet will be first compressed and thenexpanded before being discharged out of the outlet, means for supplyingliquid axially of the rotor, and means for conducting liquid from thecasing.

ADIEL Y. DODGE.

